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fall fashion

In sixth grade, I found some electric green fishnets on the clearance rack at Kohl’s. When I incorporated them into my Sunday School ensemble, I imagined the bastions of the French avant-garde applauding what was inevitably lost on my church-going compatriots (as fate would have it, our seventh grade exposure to Moulin Rouge, with the women wearing tights that matched mine, would be the ultimate deterrent). All in all, I thought that fishnets were pretty cool. But until this week, I had quietly retired my fishnets along with the my union jack halter dress and “waterfall”effecting hair clip. Now, I’m beginning to reconsider (well just the fishnets). About two weeks ago, the Sartorialist posted this innovative photo of jeans (a la French chic) that put fishnets back on my radar. Then, can we just talk about the Proenza Schouler Ready to Wear Show? Although fishnets might be too simple a term to accurately portray these looping lovelies, the same gist is there. Alternatively, maybe the takeaway is not about fishnets as tights, but rather fishnets as the couple to a good cutout. I’m thinking might be time to dust off the old fishnets and try them out under some Helmut Lang… What do you think? Would you try this new style, or leave the fishnets with the Moulin Rouge ladies?

I live in an area called Southwark. For those of us who aren’t British, it is counter-intuitively pronounced “Suth-uck,” rather than “South-wark.” Historically, it was the theatre, gambling, and prostitution epicenter of Central London. While such activity wasn’t permitted under the Queen’s watchful eye, her visual impairment kicked in right around the bank of the Thames, making anything that went on South of its shore virtually unchecked (this is also because Southwark was not part of London proper, making it a separate jurisdiction). The City of London was particularly suspicious and subsequently, unkind, to theatrical groups within its limits, leading to a large theatrical community in Southwark, where they claimed to “practice” in order to perform for the Queen. Today, it’s where you will find the rebuilt Globe Theater, although the gambling and prostitutes have relocated (hopefully). Between the Globe and the installation of the Tate Modern Art Museum, its become a popular area that hosts lovely walks down the Southbank, and scenic views of St. Pauls.

This man is pointing at Southwark from the Millenium Bridge.

However, before you get to St. Pauls, you have to cross over London Bridge (possibly one of the most boring bridges in London, despite its widespread musical acclaim). And before you reach London Bridge, you encounter a sudden wall of delicious smells cascading from the left side of the street. That pantheon of flavors is none other than Borough Market. Borough Market is the next step up from a farmers market, selling all sorts of fresh produce, meats, and cheeses, in addition to a delicious selection of tempting takeaways.

I sampled the salt pork, which I was informed was an “American dish” via Boston.

One thing I didn’t realize upon visiting Borough Market is that unlike the farmer’s markets I’m used to back home, people don’t really shops here for their groceries. That isn’t to say no one does, but Borough Market today is a bit of a tourist destination, which has driven prices from the mom and pop tomato stand fares you’d expect to those recognizable in the rest of central London. If you decide to take a visit yourself out-valuing Tesco will not be on the schedule. However, it’s fun to just walk around, and take in the selection, of well, everything.

Verdant Inner-City Seating

As should be no surprise to those who know me, with a universe of food staring me in the face, while there, I decided to splurge on a coffee. However, this coffee had a recommendation, namely a line spanning out the door (and I’m told, on weekends, well around the block). The brand is Monmouth. Founded in 1978 in Covent Garden (on Monmouth Street), they have grown into three stores that seem to have a cult following. A yuppie playground, Monmouth is not coffee for the weak; if you are prone to headaches, this is not your brew. If you want to stay up half the night doing work to the background of warm, rich flavour this is where to get your beans.

Just in from The Clothesline: A Real British Queue.

To the sartorial: have you ever seen something that was so crazy that you secretly wanted it (for no rational reason), but told yourself you could never pull it off? That was my relationship with my lion skirt. When I saw it in H&M, it’s combination of quilting and lion heads, I demurely put it back on the rack where it belonged. Undaunted, I returned to best this beast, and here is my interpretation, if you can think of a better way to sport it, let me know below. I’m definitely up for suggestions.

Outfit Details:
Choker: H&M
Leather Jacket: H&M
Skirt: H&M
Belt: Thrifted
Satchel: Fossil (this is the only purse I brought over, but be on the lookout soon for some diversity, and the newest addition to my closet!)

Last year Jacqueline Durran stunned the world with Kiera Knightley’s exquisite costumes in Joe Wright’s rendition of Anna Karenina. However, while absorbing the lush extravagance that was this fallen woman’s wardrobe, I was forced to ask myself: How many people actually still wear fur hats?

We should examine this fur-ther.

I mean, don’t get me wrong, I know this is Russia we were talking about. But, for real, how many people are out and about in fur hats? Have we as a society accepted use fur as inhumane more overall? Has global warming alleviated the need for these (the answer to that is NO in northern Indiana). Is fur just something few people can afford/ aren’t inclined to spend on? Does a fur hat just remind everyone of Julie Christie in Dr. Zhivago?

Be sure to let me know your thoughts. Personally, I say the fur hat is alive and well, especially since I wore one to my last class this morning. I was pretty excited about it and so in a fit of procrastination, I made an homage to our tragic Russian aristocrat.

WAITING FOR VRONSKY
(or failure… an ambition only slightly better than Godot)

For the occasion, I wore my mink hat, a black silk shirt, and a velvet jacket (that is probably my mother’s for nice occasions. Devon cream and a raison scone also went into the making of this photo set.)

Pictures brought to you by photobooth (yes I’m sorry, but the only other option was iphone selfies. Scylla and Charybdes, I know.)

This hat is mostly feathers.. but why stop good procrastination? Scone down.

And this one I call Bridget Jones at Thanksgiving. Leave it to our girl to wear the turkey on her head.

I realize this photo set was mostly me looking sad (I will spare you a lengthy justification on why this would fit Anna’s character and the spoilers that I would be sure to provide.), but I hope you got a bit of a kick out of it, and let me know if you have any in-fur-mation on Winter hats today.

Sarah Burton’s Spring 2014 collection for Alexander McQueen introduced something to put on your head. But what is it? Hat? Cap? Cloche? Skullcap? Flashing down the runway in silver and gold, where did this innovation come from?

“I wanted energy without froth.” Burton claims.

I posit 3 possible inspirations.

1. Blue collar power tool industry inspiration?

This seems like the most likely option to me based on last year’s beekeeping theme. Is Burton/ McQueen quietly paying homage to different industries, making statements about there perception while transfusing high and low cultural conceptions?

2. A modern take on a 1920s cloche? Is this update supposed to be an interpretation of a “new woman” and the more metallic streamlined look supposed to represent strength?

Burton agreed with this interpretation saying, “They’re sort of 1920s cloche hats.” While this may be true, contrasted with the tribal and militaristic influences of the collection, what started as a cloche seems like decidedly something else.

3. (my personal favorite) Tron?

enough said.

Have any better ideas? Let me know what you think… Feel free to add whether you would ever wear this. I’m still on the fence.

As exams grow ever nearer, I am regressing to all my favorite books and movies out of fear… but it’s hard not to celebrate when

On December 10th (just in time for Christmas y’all!) Mary Poppins will be released on Blue-Ray (and combo pack and digital HD) for the first time! And I’m wondering if she will usher in a new bag trend:

CARPETBAGS

Seriously, is it just me or am I starting to see needlepoint, jacquard, carpet-esk material everywhere? First it was these:

For some reason all the men in my dreams are named Mr. Stubbs or Mr. Wootton.. probably because I can’t have themmmmm *sob*

Then Zara gave us this: (my pictures are from ebay and if you dare buy this out from under me… I will eat too much pizza crying and there will be no more fashion)

If you have not seen the blog Advanced Style please leave now and go enlighten yourself (but come back now ya’ hear!). Really, it’s the most beautiful and charming collection of pictures taken by Ari Seth Cohen. There are only two stipulations: they subjects are all elderly people and they all have fantastic or quirky or dynamic or intriguing style. So, as I was staring my future in the face the other evening:

This is Ari Seth Cohen’s photo!

That might not be quite a carpet bag… but it’s definitely in the carpet bag family… making it a welcome mat bag? They very next post you can’t deny.

This photo is property of Ari Seth Cohen.

This lovely lady even has her own vintage purse store WITH carpetbags here.

So what do you think? Are carpet bags the next big thing or did they go out with Reconstruction? Let me know what you think, and in the mean time have a jolly holiday!!

Disney came out with copy a few years ago. Notice they don’t show you the bottom of the bag…

In case, you want to get in on them now, they are going for relatively little on Ebay… in the range of 20 to 50 for the cheaper ones.